Miscellaneous Information

Various Identification Codes ...

GNIS Codes ...

The U.S. Board on Geographic Names (BGN) was created to address the problems caused by spelling and naming variations. The BGN will usually recognize an existing name or, when necessary, establish a new name for a geographic feature (such as a mountain, lake, river, stream, city, town, village, dam, bridge, etc).

The BGN names are kept in a database called the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) and it is the official Federal repository. The GNIS is operated and maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

A unique and permanent numeric code has been assigned for each name in the GNIS database. These names and identifiers are definitive and it is intended that they are to be used by all departments of the Federal Government:

GNIS ID for Mount Regis Heights: 1706485

GNIS ID for Virginia: 1779803

GPS Location - GNIS Coordinates ...

An important aspect of the GNIS code is that it assigns a GPS location (the latitude/longitude) to the geographic feature. This location is simply a point on the map and does not represent the size or shape of the feature. In the case of Mount Regis Heights, it is a point within Mount Regis Heights that might be a post office, the city hall or simply an intersection - the point should really be considered arbitrary and only indicating a general location.

For Mount Regis Heights, the GNIS GPS location is given as:

Lat:   37° 16' 28"   (or 37.27°)

Lon:   -80° 3' 49"   (or -80.06°)  

Regional Codes ...

For statistical purposes, the US Census Bureau has divided the country into four Regions. Mount Regis Heights is located in Region #3 (the South Region).

In turn, the US Census Bureau has further divided each Region into Divisions. Mount Regis Heights is located in Division #5 (the South Atlantic Division).

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has created ten Federal Regions. Mount Regis Heights is located in Region III (Region 3).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has created ten Management Regions. Mount Regis Heights is located in Region III (Region 3).

Referenced GNIS Records ...

GNIS ID #1706485   (Name of Record: Mount Regis Heights)

Class: populated place

A place or area having clustered or scattered buildings and a permanent population (such as a city, settlement, town or village). The boundaries may or may not coincide with the perceived population.

A 'populated place' record may have a corresponding 'census' or 'civil' record. The information contained in the 'populated place' record applies only to the class and should not be confused with either the 'census' and 'civil' classes.

County: Salem (city)

Map Name: Salem

Lat: 37.2745795       Lon: -80.0636511  

Elev: 347 ft.